Weekly inspirational column by Cambridge area pastors and church elders

John SimsPublished: April 25, 2014 1:00PM

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;"New King James Version, 1 Timothy 2:8, "pray without ceasing," 1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV.

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior." 1 Timothy 2:1-3 NKJV

We are called to pray -- to be in constant prayer. And part of those prayers are to be for our country, and for our leaders.

We are called to be in unity as brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter what church we attend, no matter what name is on the door. Jesus prayed in John 17:20-21, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (NKJV)

We need to strive to be one as He has desired and join together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

God calls us to pray in unity and this is something that as a nation under God we do. The first Thursday in May is set aside each year as the National Day of Prayer. Communities across the nation come together on this day to pray for the nation, the leaders, the states, communities and people of this country.

Here in Guernsey County, we are gathering together to do the same at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 1 at the large pavilion in Cambridge City Park. We want to honor God and obey His word by joining together in intercession for our nation and its leaders.

God promised in 2 Chronicles. 7:14, "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (NKJV)

Let us join together to honor God and beseech Him to fulfill this promise as we repent of our sins and the sins of our nation and pray for guidance as we go forward.